Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
Twenty years ago, Melanie Stokes was abandoned in a Boston hospital, then adopted by a wealthy young couple. Gifted with loving parents, a doting brother, and an indulgent uncle, Melanie has always considered herself lucky. Until the first cryptic, threatening note arrives: “You Get What You Deserve.”
Melanie has no memory of her life before the adoption. Now someone wants her to remember it all—even the darkest nightmare the Stokes family ever faced: the murder of their first daughter. As Melanie pursues every lead and chases every shadow in search of her real identity, two seemingly unrelated events from her past will come together in a dangerous explosion of truth.
Synopsis
What you don't know can kill you.
Twenty years ago, Melanie Stokes was abandoned in a Boston hospital, then adopted by a wealthy young couple. Gifted with loving parents, a doting brother and indulgent uncle, Melanie has always considered herself lucky. Until tonight.
Tonight, a has-been reporter turns up investigating her past. Tonight, the first note arrives saying, "You Get What You Deserve." And tonight, Melanie has her first, horrifying vision of the past.
Melanie has no memory of her life before the adoption. Now, someone wants to give it back, even if it includes the darkest nightmare the Stokes family ever faced: the murder of their first daughter in Texas. As Melanie pursues every lead, chases every shadow in search of her real identity, two seemingly unrelated events from twenty years ago will come together in a dangerous explosion of truth.
Publishers Weekly
In her newest, Gardner (The Perfect Husband) indulges her fascination with the dark side of family life, where the ties that bind also gag, choke and strangle. Professional event planner Melanie Stokes does not suspect that the death of a serial killer in a Texas electric chair 20 years before could have any relevance to her neatly ordered existence. But as it becomes clear that the life she's known (as the adopted daughter of Boston cardiologist Harper Stokes and his trophy wife, Patricia) is based on ugly secrets and bloody lies, her world unravels. With the help of FBI Agent David Riggs, who makes up for his lack of physical agility--the result of ankylosing spondylitis (bad back problems)--with finely honed reflexes, street smarts and pure sex appeal, Melanie unearths what an intricately planned 25-year-old cover-up can't hide: the gruesome truth about her parentage. Once again, Gardner serves up suspense at a furious pace. (July) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
From the Publisher
“Just when you thought Lisa Gardner couldn’t get any better . . . she does.”—Lee Child"A dark, powerful tale of nerve-shattering suspense."—Tami Hoag
"Readers get loads of angst, great procedural stuff, some hair-raising action scenes, and a villain to keep you awake at night. What more can any thriller reader want?"—Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
"Gardner delivers a streamlined bang-up addition to the oeuvre of Tami Hoag, Karen Robards, Elizabeth Lowell and, these days, even Nora Roberts."—Publishers Weekly
"Scary, gritty, terrifying. Lock the door, leave on a light."—Oakland Press
"A page-turner."—Rocky Mountain News
“[A] suspenseful, engrossing page-turner…Totally absorbing, it’s one of those books that keeps you up late, enslaved by the ‘just one more chapter’ syndrome.” —Mystery News
“Sheer terror…a great read.”–Iris Johansen“Sheer terror…a great read.”—Iris Johansen
Publishers Weekly -
In her newest, Gardner The Perfect Husband indulges her fascination with the dark side of family life, where the ties that bind also gag, choke and strangle. Professional event planner Melanie Stokes does not suspect that the death of a serial killer in a Texas electric chair 20 years before could have any relevance to her neatly ordered existence. But as it becomes clear that the life she's known as the adopted daughter of Boston cardiologist Harper Stokes and his trophy wife, Patricia is based on ugly secrets and bloody lies, her world unravels. With the help of FBI Agent David Riggs, who makes up for his lack of physical agility--the result of ankylosing spondylitis bad back problems--with finely honed reflexes, street smarts and pure sex appeal, Melanie unearths what an intricately planned 25-year-old cover-up can't hide: the gruesome truth about her parentage. Once again, Gardner serves up suspense at a furious pace. July Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.If you love great suspense, then camp out at your local bookstore and make sure you get your hands on this incredible new novel. Ms. Gardner has just vaulted into the big leagues with this intricate, chilling and unbelievably suspenseful tale.
— Romantic Times